COUNTRY NEWS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23109, 8 February 1937, Page 12

COUNTRY NEWS

ALEXANDRA Mayoress Honoured It is a long time since the Alexandra Town Hall accommodated such a large audience as it did on Thursday evening, when the citizens of Alexandra and surrounding districts met to honour their popular Mayoress. Miss Fiona Bringans, on the eve of her approaching marriage In the absence of the Deputy Mayox (Cr A Ashworth), Cr W. Hewitt presided. Miss Bringans, Mr Hewitt said, had been known by most of those present since childhood, and for the past 10 years she had carried out the duties of Mayoress with credit to herself and to her father. The citizens felt that they could not let her leave the town without showing in some fitting manner the way they had appreciated her services.

Mrs Ashworth then handed Miss Bringans a solid silver coffee service suitably inscribed, and congratulated her on her forthcoming marriage. Mr A. M'Kellar, on behalf of the sporting bodies of the town, thanked Miss Bringans for the way in which she had at all times assisted the various clubs. She had been actively associated with the Ladies’ Hockey, the Swimming and the Lawn Tennis Clubs, and she had always been willing to help any other bodies. Mr W. A. Bodkin, M.P., on behalf of the residents of the town and surrounding districts, extended best wishes to Miss Bringans. and said that she had always carried out her duties as Mayoress in an efficient manner Alexandra has been fortunate in its former Mayoresses, Mr Bodkin said, and Miss Bringans had worthily upheld a high standard of efficiency. She had made history, for no previous Mayoress had left during her term of office to be married. Mr M. P. M'Ginnis, president of the Fruitgrowers’ Association, said that fruitgrowers were proud of Miss Bringans being the daughter of a fruitgrower. Her father had always taken an active interest in all the activities of the Fruitgrowers’ Association, and had been ably assisted by his daughter.

Mr G. W. T. Campbell, on behalf of the Alexandra Municipal Band, congratulated Miss Bringans, and stated that her father had been bandmaster since 1900. The assistance the band had received from Miss Bringans was greatly appreciated. Mr James Ritchie, chairman of the Vincent County Council, also congratulated Miss Bringans. Mr W. Bringans, on behalf of his daughter, thanked the citizens for the present they had made. Their attendance in such large numbers was itself a wonderful tribute, and he was unable to find words adequately to thank them If what he and his daughter had endeavoured to do had been appreciated by the residents, ho said that was sufficient recompense to them. They had at all times found it a great pleasure to work with the residents in furthering the interests of the district. Miss Bringans was accorded musical honours, and Miss Hazel Flannery presented her with a bouquet. Dancing was enjoyed until a late hour, and during the evening items were given by Miss J. Clouston, Mr O RufT, Miss Noel O’Kane, and Mrs A. E. Ellis.